Key Takeaways
- Private competitions are invite-only — perfect for friends and family gatherings
- Public competitions are open to the community, allowing anyone to discover and request to join
- Both formats support Singles, Couples, and Mixed competition types
- Private is ideal for casual, low-pressure fun; Public is great for meeting new people
- You can always switch visibility when creating — it's just one toggle
When you create a competition on Dine With Me, one of the first choices you'll make is whether it's public or private. It's a simple toggle, but it completely changes the vibe of your event.
Let's break down what each option means so you can pick the right one for your group.
Two Ways to Compete
Think of it like hosting a party. Sometimes you want an intimate dinner with your closest friends. Other times, you want to throw the doors open and welcome the whole neighborhood. Dine With Me lets you do both.
Private Competitions
Private: Your Inner Circle
A private competition is invitation-only. Only people you explicitly invite can see the details and join. It won't show up in the public directory, and nobody can stumble upon it by browsing.
Best for:
- Close friend groups who want a relaxed, no-pressure dinner
- Family gatherings with a fun competitive twist
- Roommates or neighbors who cook together regularly
- Couples' date nights with other couples
- First-time hosts who want to keep it small and comfortable
Private competitions are the most popular format on Dine With Me, and for good reason. There's zero pressure. No strangers watching. Just your people, your food, and a whole lot of laughing.
You don't need to be a great cook to host a private competition. Some of the most memorable evenings happen when everyone brings their signature "I only know how to make one thing" dish.
When you invite friends to a private competition, they receive a notification in the app. They can accept, decline, or suggest a different date. You can also share the invitation link directly.
Public Competitions
Public: Open to Everyone
A public competition appears on the Public Competitions page. Anyone on the platform can discover it, see the details, and request to join. As the host, you can review and approve requests — or set it to auto-accept.
Best for:
- Growing your culinary community and meeting new people
- Neighborhood cook-offs where everyone is welcome
- Themed events (Italian Night, Taco Tuesday) that attract food lovers
- Charity competitions where you want maximum participation
- Experienced hosts who want a bigger audience
Public competitions are a fantastic way to meet people who share your love of food. You'll be surprised how many passionate home cooks are in your area — many of them complete beginners who just want to try something fun and social.
Ready to browse what's happening near you?
Explore Public CompetitionsSide-by-Side Comparison
Here's a quick comparison to help you decide:
| Feature | Private | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Visible in public directory | No | Yes |
| Invitation required | Yes | No |
| Host can approve joiners | — (invite only) | Yes |
| Entry fee supported | Yes | Yes |
| Singles / Couples / Mixed | All | All |
| Rating & scoring | Full | Full |
| Charity mode | Yes | Yes |
| Location shown | Only to participants | Public (city-level) |
| Ideal group size | 3–10 people | 5–20+ people |
Both formats include the full Dine With Me experience: rating categories, automatic scoring, tiebreaker rules, prize distribution, and the results leaderboard. The only real difference is who can discover and join your competition.
Competition Types: Singles, Couples & Mixed
Regardless of whether your competition is public or private, you can choose between three participant formats:
- Singles — Each person cooks and competes individually. The classic format.
- Couples — Pairs cook together and are scored as a team. Great for date nights or best-friend duos.
- Mixed — Both individual cooks and couples can participate in the same competition. Maximum flexibility.
A Couples + Private competition is perfect for a double-date dinner. Invite two or three couples, cook together, and let the friendly rivalry begin. No chef skills required — just teamwork and enthusiasm.
Which One Should You Choose?
There's no wrong answer. It depends on the experience you want:
- First time hosting? Start with a private competition. Invite 3–5 friends and keep it casual. You'll learn how the platform works in a low-pressure setting.
- Want to grow your network? Go public. You'll connect with local food lovers who share your passion — whether they're seasoned cooks or complete beginners.
- Planning a themed night? Public works well for themes like "Italian Night" or "Street Food Challenge" because it attracts people specifically interested in that theme. But private themed nights with friends are just as fun.
- Cooking for charity? Public competitions tend to raise more because they reach more participants. But a private charity dinner with your closest friends can be deeply meaningful too.
The best competition is the one that gets you and your people around a table together. Don't overthink it — just pick one and get cooking!
Need ideas for what kind of competition to run? Check out our list of 10 creative competition ideas for every group and occasion.